Service: If the pizza guy isn't involved in a conversation with somebody else, engage him and he'll probably throw a few extra goodies on your pie.

Delivery: South to Sunrise Boulevard, north to Atlantic Boulevard, west to Federal Highway and east to the ocean. Call for specific delivery charges.

Carina's is proud of its stone oven — a huge fixture in the center of an open kitchen where you can watch food slide in and out in record time thanks to the oven's intense heat. It's part of what makes their stone-fired pizzas so darned good.

The specialty pizza roster ($15.95 for

medium that's plenty for two; $18.95 for large) includes options as simple as a classic Margarita with sliced fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil; as down home as the bacon cheeseburger pie with caramelized onions and cheddar cheese; or as elegant as one with pears, which I decide to try.

Still, the kitchen does a nice job keeping all the flavors balanced so the sweetness of the fresh fruit cuts the richness of the Alfredo and gorgonzola. The crust is golden and crunchy on the edges with just the right chew factor, yet it's nice and light.

Carina's uses locally grown produce and red sauce made from organic ingredients. Even their wine is organic. As a bonus, this is a trans-fat-free restaurant. — Judith Stocks